A special surprise in the mail! Cooking for New Year's Eve

About 6 months ago I joined a crafting page on Facebook. Not because I'm crafty, I am NOT. I just wanted to see what other people make and maybe sell. I saw a beautiful hand painted flag that a woman and her 5 year old nephew made. I asked if they sold them and she said no they didn't. 

A little later she messages me and tell me she and Austin had a talk and decided to gift me with a new flag they were going to make. 

 Wednesday I got a message from her telling me to check my mail. It didn't come until later in the day but this was the sweetest surprise ever! I can't stop looking at it! I am just amazed that a woman and a little boy from Kentucky would do this for me. 💖💖 She is very proud American and proud of our Marine and Sailor too. Thank you, Thank you  Austin and Jen! We will find a special place for this masterpiece! 💗💗  I know this took hours and hours to do. She told me she and Austin had so much fun making it! 💙 

This beautiful hand made flag! Painted on two sides of two
pieces of burlap. Just gorgeous! 💙

The two artists, Jen and Austin 💙

I even got this sweet card from Austin 💙
I think I've got myself another pen pal! 
Got a nice card from Jen too! So blessed
to have these friends I've never met 💗

Later we went to  John and Karen's for Happy Hour. We spent the evening on the back porch under their propane heaters. Nice and toasty. 

Yesterday morning we were surprised with a light dusting of snow, by 1400 it was all gone! If the weather guessers are right it looks like New Years Eve will be a wet one, if not a white one. 

Last night we had a nice fire outside along with a happy hour or two with adult beverages. 

Gin, seltzer and lime YUM. Thank you Eric and Christina
for the Gin from Georgetown Distillery! 

Nice and toasty fire kept us warm 😊🍺🍸

Today was all about cooking. We're going to John and Karen's for New Years Eve. Tradition you know.  I made 7 layer dip, sausage cheese balls, 2 ingredient fudge and mexican wedding cookies along with our good for us banana bread. Glad to be done! Ken's making great northern beans /black eye peas with the ham hock left from Christmas. He'll cook that in the dutch oven tomorrow. 

Ken gifted himself with an Emeril 360 Air Fryer, Convection,Toaster Oven with french doors and rotisserie. He's getting to be quite the chef with his pit boss, griddle and now this new toy. Spare Ribs were excellent! 

Jacob's on the plane headed back to Italy today. Seth and Holly will be heading back to Oceanside this afternoon. It was awesome seeing them for the short time we were able! 💗

Have a great evening! Tomorrow we celebrate! LOL!